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Indonesia

Pakistan, Indonesia discuss expanding bilateral defence cooperation

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Pakistan

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Field Marshal Asim Munir on Monday held a meeting with Indonesia’s Defence Minister, Lieutenant General (Retd) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, at General Headquarters (GHQ), where both sides discussed avenues for enhancing bilateral defence cooperation.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the meeting focused on exploring new areas to strengthen defence collaboration between Pakistan and Indonesia. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global security developments.

Both sides underscored the importance of Pakistan–Indonesia defence industrial cooperation and emphasized the need to further strengthen institutional linkages between the two countries. The significance of enhanced training collaboration was also highlighted during the discussion.

The Indonesian Defence Minister lauded the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces and acknowledged their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. He also expressed Indonesia’s desire to further broaden defence relations with Pakistan.

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening sustainable defence ties with Indonesia, based on shared values and common strategic interests.

Pakistan, Indonesia to strengthen ties with new MoUs across key fields

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Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan today for a two-day official visit, marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Indonesia.

According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, President Subianto is visiting Pakistan on the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. During the visit, he will hold delegation-level talks with the Prime Minister.

The Indonesian President is also expected to meet President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir.

The agenda of the visit includes discussions on trade, investment, defence cooperation, health, information technology, climate, education, and cultural exchanges.

The several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed between the two countries during the visit.

Floods and natural disasters kill over 1,250 across Asia

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Floods

Jakarta: Severe floods and other natural disasters across several Asian countries, including Indonesia, have claimed the lives of more than 1,250 people.

Over the past week, floods, storms, and landslides have devastated the region, with Indonesia reporting 753 deaths due to heavy rains and widespread flooding. Approximately 650 people are still missing in the country.

Sri Lanka has also been severely affected, with over 390 fatalities reported from landslides and heavy rains, while many remain missing. Thailand has experienced massive flood surges submerging dozens of villages and claiming 176 lives. In Malaysia, three deaths have been reported, though thousands have been displaced and hundreds are still in emergency shelters.

Millions of people across Asia have been affected, with homes, crops, infrastructure, and essential services suffering extensive damage. Landslides have cut off access to several villages, roads have collapsed, and bridges have been washed away, hampering relief efforts.

Emergency Response and Relief Efforts

Authorities in affected countries have declared emergencies. Military personnel, naval and medical aircraft have been deployed to deliver food, water, medicines, and other assistance to those in need. International organizations, including the United Nations, are coordinating with local authorities and offering aid.

Environmental Concerns and Future Risks

Experts warn that human factors, such as illegal logging and deforestation, have weakened natural barriers, exacerbating the impact of disasters. Climate change and warming oceans have intensified monsoons and storms, increasing the likelihood of future flooding. Specialists urge affected nations to prioritize better disaster management, forest protection, and climate adaptation strategies to mitigate future losses of life and property.

Over 1,100 dead in Asia amid devastating floods and storms

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Over 1,100 dead

Several Asian countries are reeling from a series of cyclones, heavy rains, floods, and landslides, leaving millions affected and causing widespread devastation. Over the past week, more than 1,100 people have lost their lives, while thousands have been displaced.

The death toll in individual countries includes 604 in Indonesia, 366 in Sri Lanka, 176 in Thailand, and 3 in Malaysia.

In Sri Lanka, an emergency has been declared as the government grapples with extensive damage caused by cyclones, heavy rainfall, and flooding. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa described the destruction as even worse than the 2004 tsunami.

According to the global charity Save the Children, severe floods and landslides in Indonesia and Thailand have disrupted education for thousands of children. In southern Thailand, nearly 76,000 children are unable to attend school due to closures or lack of access in affected areas.

In Indonesia, the situation is similarly dire, with around 1,000 schools damaged or closed by flooding. Many schools are being used as temporary emergency shelters, further interrupting teaching activities. Save the Children emphasizes that affected children urgently require educational, psychosocial, and protective support, while ongoing rains threaten to worsen the situation.

Meanwhile, the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, under the influence of Cyclone Mandous, continues to experience heavy rainfall, leading to the suspension of flight operations in Chennai.

Heavy storms in Southeast Asia kill more than 600

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Heavy storms

Jakarta: Torrential rains and landslides that have battered Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia for the past week have claimed the lives of more than 600 people.

According to news agencies, the disaster has affected over 4 million people across the three countries. In Indonesia, 442 people have died, 170 in Thailand, and 2 in Malaysia. A cyclone forming over the Strait of Malacca has intensified stormy rains and strong winds over the past week.

In Indonesia’s western province of Sumatra, landslides and flooding have severely impacted three districts. Rescue teams are delivering relief supplies to remote areas via helicopters.

Afri Anti, a 41-year-old woman from Padang, West Sumatra, said, “Water suddenly entered our home. We ran in fear. When we returned, the house was destroyed. Only one wall remains. We are now living next to it in a tent. Our shop is gone too—nothing is left.”

So far, 289 people are reported missing in Indonesia, and 213,000 have been displaced. In Thailand’s Songkhla province, 131 deaths have been reported, with the city of Hat Yai recording 335mm of rain last Friday—its highest single-day rainfall in 300 years. In Malaysia, 24,500 people remain in relief camps.